🌱 El Gallo De Oro Closed After 35 Years + Selmon Extension

Hey, neighbors! Carlos Hernandez here with today's issue of the Tampa Daily.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 86 Low: 72.

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Here are the top five stories in Tampa today:

1. The Selmon Extension, the recently opened elevated two-mile stretch over Gandy Boulevard, is temporarily closed for repairs until further notice after crews discovered two steel strands that had come loose from their anchors. The wires can be maintained and replaced inside the structure with live traffic flowing overhead, however the Expressway wants to err on the side of caution. (Tampa Patch)

2. El Gallo De Oro Restaurante in West Tampa at 4007 Fiesta Plaza has permanently closed after 35 years of serving the area, according to a Facebook post from co-owner Julissa Salgado. The family-owned and operated Cuban restaurant first opened its doors in 1987. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

3. Deputies in Hillsborough County are looking for a suspect who they said could be armed after a murder that happened in Plant City on Thursday. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, 44-year-old Carl Lee is wanted on a second-degree murder charge. Lee was last seen driving a newer, white Honda sedan near the scene on Medulla Road in Plant City, according to deputies. They warned he could have a handgun on him. (WFLA)

4. Bobby Pin Hair Gallery in Ybor City is providing trans-inclusive haircare and has joined an inclusive site called "Strands for Trans." Stylist Steevie Vazquez wants to remind residents, "no matter what they're hearing or seeing, there are still spaces that are safe and affirming." (ABC Action News)

5. The White Party is a mega celebration returning to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa on Saturday, April 9th. The event supports Best Buddies Tampa, an organization dedicated to "providing friendship and job opportunities to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities." It will feature hors d’oeuvres, drinks, DJs, art performances, and more. Tickets are now available. (That's So Tampa)

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Today in Tampa:

• School Board Meeting at Hillsborough County Schools. (4:00 PM)
• Social Media Basics: Blogging at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (6:00 PM)
• Remix: Paint Your Pet at the Firehouse Cultural Center. (6:30 PM)
• QR Code Scavenger Hunt - Women's History Month at SouthShore at John Crawford Art Education Studio. (7:00 PM)
• RENT at Ruth Eckerd Hall. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Disney's Frozen is coming to the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts starting Wednesday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. and will run through Sunday, April 3. (Tampa Bay Times)
• Most Tampa Bay counties recently fell under the "low" levels of COVID-19 in the community, according to the CDC, which recently updated guidance to focus on hospitalizations. "Low" level is described as being less than 10 new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population (7-day total), and less than 10% of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients (7-day average). (WFLA)
• Tampa Bay Lightning has signed forward Ilya Usau to a three-year, entry-level contract. (Facebook)

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Events:

• Social Security Seminar 3/22 & 3/23 (March 22)
• American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day: Understand Your Risk (March 22)
• Jazz on the Lawn @ Riverwalk STEM Academy (March 27)
• Estate Planning Webinar 3/28 & 3/30 (March 28)
• Creating Income in a Low Interest Rate Environment (March 29)
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• Rare St Pete Beach Lot: Open House (Details)
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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.